Implementation Guide
Secure AI agent API access by reducing capability before adding autonomy.
Start by deciding exactly which API capabilities the agent needs, then constrain identity, permissions, runtime context, and change management around that minimal set.
Inventory the operations that could become tools.
Separate read, write, destructive, privileged, financial, object-access, and sensitive-data behavior. A documented operation is not proof of runtime reachability.
Apply least privilege to operations, permissions, and data.
Operation scope
Expose only endpoints required for the workflow.
Permission scope
Use the narrowest practical authorization alternative for each operation.
Data scope
Limit records and sensitive fields at runtime.
Verify authentication and authorization as separate controls.
A documented bearer token does not prove object-level or function-level authorization. Verify effective runtime policy independently.
Put high-impact actions behind runtime guardrails.
Approval, transaction ceilings, resource ownership, outbound allowlists, short-lived credentials, audit logs and environment separation are runtime controls the contract cannot enforce.
If contract coverage or runtime context is incomplete, keep the decision in review instead of interpreting missing evidence as safety.
Gate capability drift when the API changes.
Compare the approved baseline and candidate contract when endpoints, authorization, sensitive data or capability change.